Thomas Voeckler maintains Tour de France lead

TOUR DE FRANCE

Jamey Keaten, Associated Press

Published
4:00 am PDT, Monday, July 18, 2011

The pack with Thomas Voeckler of France, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, pass the historic fortified city of Carcassonne during the 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 193 kilometers (120 miles) starting in Limoux and finishingin Montpellier, southern France, Sunday July 17, 2011. less

The pack with Thomas Voeckler of France, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, pass the historic fortified city of Carcassonne during the 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 193 kilometers ... more

Photo: Christophe Ena, AP

Photo: Christophe Ena, AP

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The pack with Thomas Voeckler of France, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, pass the historic fortified city of Carcassonne during the 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 193 kilometers (120 miles) starting in Limoux and finishingin Montpellier, southern France, Sunday July 17, 2011. less

The pack with Thomas Voeckler of France, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, pass the historic fortified city of Carcassonne during the 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 193 kilometers ... more

He has had the lead for six days. And no less a cycling connoisseur than Lance Armstrong thinks the Frenchman could be wearing the yellow jersey when the race ends Sunday in Paris.

The biggest doubter is Voeckler himself. "I will fight, of course, but I mustn't be dishonest," he said after Sunday's flat Stage 15, won by British sprint star Mark Cavendish. "I consider that I have zero percent chance of winning the Tour de France."

For many French fans, Voeckler has rekindled cautious optimism that cycling's greatest prize could return home for the first time since 1985, the last of Bernard Hinault's five victories.

"It's not a question of wanting. Everybody would like to win the Tour," Voeckler said. "It's true that since Bernard Hinault, the French people want a winner. I really sense it well."

Voeckler doesn't expect to hold off probable attackers in punishing days in the Alps on Thursday and Friday, each featuring uphill finishes. Then, on Saturday, there's a final individual time trial - a discipline in which he isn't among the best - in and around Grenoble.

For the most part, the running commentary this year has been that Contador, two-time runners-up Evans and Andy Schleck, plus Basso have yet to go at each other. Voeckler, in a way, has been cast as merely a bump in their road.

But after three days in the Pyrenees, the main contenders are taking the Frenchman seriously.

"Voeckler is in incredible form," said Contador, who has increasingly used mind games since winning the Tour in 2007 and the last two years. "He has a big lead. It will be hard to make that up."

Evans calls the overall standings "a bit strange."

"I think people still look at the Schleck brothers as favorites, but they're two minutes down. ... So it's still about Voeckler for now."

Armstrong wrested the yellow jersey from Voeckler after his 10-day run in it in the 2004 Tour.

"Final TT is 42km. He's French. It's the Tour de FRANCE," Armstrong tweeted, referring to the final time trial. "He won't lose 2:06 in the final time trial ASSUMING... He keeps them close on Alpe d'Huez."

On Sunday, Voeckler and the contenders cruised across after Cavendish in the mostly flat, 120-mile route through vineyards from Limoux to Montpellier that favored sprinters.

The British rider overcame high winds and "bashing" among riders in the pack for his fourth stage victory this year and the 19th of his career.

Cavendish is three career stage wins behind Armstrong, who is fifth with 22. Belgium's Eddy Merckx holds the record with 34.

Today is the second and final rest day before cyclists head into the foothills of the Alps for Stage 16 on Tuesday, a 101-mile ride from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Gap.